Organisers of a major sports event in Brighton and Hove next year are looking for local business sponsors.

Some of Britain's star athletes of the future will converge on the city next March when Stanmer Park hosts the English Schools Cross-country championships.

More than 2,000 youngsters are expected to take part, representing 45 counties.

Past winners include current Commonwealth 5,000 metres champion Paula Radcliffe, who took the senior title in 1992.

Sussex Schools Athletics Association is staging the event with Brighton and Hove City Council and Sussex University.

Organiser Tony Elder said: "It will be a high-profile event and likely to get a lot of media coverage. We need companies to support aspects such as athletes' packed lunches or the marquees to house various facilities."

The only time Sussex has hosted a similar event was in 1974 when the boys championships were held in Stanmer Park.

There will be six races, each with about 360 runners. The course will cover parkland in front of Stanmer House.

Distances range from 3.5 km for junior girls to 7.5 km for senior boys.

Sussex University's main sports hall will be used for presentations.

It is hoped to line up Sussex-based celebrity athletes to hand over trophies.

Interested companies can call Tony Elder on 01342 322279.